
COVID-19 has impacted all of us in some way. Many people have lost jobs, homes, loved ones, and are at their wits’ end as to how to make sense of what is taking place. As a result, some people may take to drinking alcohol or even binge drinking as a way to numb their senses to the harsh realities. The WHO warns against the use of alcohol and/or drugs, stating “There is no evidence of any protective effect of drinking alcohol for viral or other infections. In fact, the opposite is true as the harmful use of alcohol is associated with increased risk of infections and worse treatment outcomes.”
As a diabetic, turning to alcohol or drinking excessively can decrease your glucose level, causing it to drop too low- a condition known as hypoglycemia. This holds true for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Alcohol also contains a lot of calories, which you don’t want if you are trying to lose weight. According to Web MD, beer and sweet wine contain carbohydrates which may raise blood sugar and your blood pressure.
In one of my earlier posts, I wrote about the different types of alcoholic drinks and the effect they have on your diabetes. I mentioned that whiskey, rum, vodka and gin do not contain carbs and therefore should not affect your sugar level. However, these drinks, if used in excess, can impair your judgement, making you careless about following simple guidelines for coronavirus such as washing your hands, keeping your distance and even wearing your mask.
For your own safety and those around you, you should follow the advice in this post and others around the net. If you already drink alcohol and you are on diabetes medications, the alcohol can also interfere with the effectiveness of the medication. As with everything else, check with your doctor to see if drinking alcohol is right for you. Meanwhile, drop me a line and let me know how you are coping with the pandemic. I would love to hear from you and do whatever I can to help. Have a blessed day.
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